Working Out Is For Physical and Mental Health In The Fall

Fitness Tips

#7 – Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) With Exercise

Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD or “winter blues”, is a form of depression that occurs when the seasons change. Symptoms such as moodiness and depression usually begin during the fall and last for months. It literally sucks the life out of you.

John M. Grohol, Psy.D. says that one hour of outdoor exercise is proven to combat SAD as effectively as 2.5 hours of light therapy, the main treatment for SAD. Not only are you getting light therapy from the all-powerful sun, but exercise boosts your mood from the release of “feel-good” endorphins.

Take part in sledding, ice skating, running or walking and enjoy life.

#8 - Enjoy Working Out In The Great Outdoors

Fall ushers in cool and pleasant temperatures that make outdoor exercise enjoyable. Don’t get lazy and try to stay bundled on the couch. Take advantage of the weather. Break out the bike or the Saucony running shoes because you should put mega miles on your fall gear during the most pleasant season of the year. Just make sure you plan to workouts before the daylight wanes.

#9 – Have A Back Up Plan

Fall weather can be unpredictable. You may have wanted to do an outdoor run, but the weather put a damper on your plans. Go to Plan B! Have a back-up plan scheduled at your local gym. Know the schedule of classes or create your own weight-training workout. Always tote your gym bag.

You won’t miss your daily dose of exercise if you plan for the worst.

READ Motivational Tips To Keep You Healthy And Working Out

#10 – Think Outside The Box, Try Something New

When the weather just gets too cold and you’re tired of your gym routine, get out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Indoor Suggestions:

• Kickboxing
• Zumba
• Yoga
• Workout DVDs (from home)
• Peloton – Indoor cycling that you can stream online into your home (no DVD required)
• Pole dancing
• Indoor rock climbing
• Roller skating – or join a roller derby team if you are extreme
• Dance classes
• Martial arts

Don’t start back on Square 1.

Live this fall to the fullest; don’t let fall fat live on you. Come January 1^st, you will not have a resolution to lose weight because you were disciplined all year long. You will have to come up with different resolutions to better your life and maybe up the ante on your fitness goals.